Focus on translational research, VIT pro-vice-chancellor T. Thyagarajan urges students

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T. Thyagarajan, pro-vice-chancellor, VIT Chennai, addressing participants at The Hindu-VIT Chennai Biotech Conclave 2026 held at Taj Connemara in Chennai on Friday | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Exhorting students to focus on translational research, T. Thyagarajan, pro-vice-chancellor, VIT Chennai, said that it was crucial to convert research outcomes into socially conscious prototypes or products.

Dr. Thyagarajan was speaking at the Biotech Conclave 2026, presented by VIT Chennai in association with The Hindu.

While both academic research and sponsored research had value, students at VIT were being given multiple opportunities to do translational research, he said, pointing to multidisciplinary programmes that fostered collaboration, the 133 student clubs, the access to e-resources, and the ecosystem that encouraged and nurtured this form of research. He pointed to industry-sponsored centres of excellence, where students could execute research projects and develop products; industry-institute interactions; opportunities for hands-on research; and seed money for startups and the protection of intellectual property.

Dr. Thyagarajan told students that there were multiple technologies available, including biofoundering, 3-D bioprinting, organ-on-a-chip tech, and smart delivery systems across a range of sectors including healthcare, agriculture, food, and the environment.

He message to students was: “Spread your wings and bring out your prototypes.”

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